almost monday • July 17, 2024 • Delta Center
Interviewed by Kevin Rolfe
San Diego-based band, almost monday is currently on tour supporting AJR. They recently played two action-packed nights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. I was fortunate enough to watch both of their sets and let me tell you these guys are a fun band to watch live. Opening the night in a big arena can be a large undertaking. But almost monday was up to the talk on both nights. By the end of both sets they had the crowd excited. Not only about what was to come with AJR, but about what they had just seen in almost monday.
I had the opportunity to interview the guys at the Delta Center before their night 2 performance. We talked about some of their experiences playing in Utah and what it’s like. to open an arena show. I really enjoyed chatting with the band and I’m excited for their future. Enjoy!
UCR: So, with you guys meeting up and starting a band, was that typical story, play house shows, garage shows? Were there venues in your area that were kind of like, like here we have Kilby Court, that’s the place you go first? Is there a place like that where you guys would start out and create a fan base?
Dawson Daughtry: There is a surf shop in Cole’s hometown of Encinitas called UNIV. It’s not there anymore. But they had sort of this like back area that they kind of made into a stage. It was an awesome place to be a young band and just like try it out, try out songs. And so we did a lot of shows there and it was like such a perfect place to get your feet wet in playing shows. And that’s kind of like, I don’t know, it’s not as iconic, it was never as iconic as like Kilby Court as a place you come through. It was a bit more like DIY like we sort of knew the people that ran it. But it had that DIY nature of just like, let’s go to UNIV, like pack that little spot out.
But we loved Kilby, we played there. I loved playing Kilby Court. The last time we played there, there was this guy, this is funny, we just went into the green room and you know how it’s like that little back door thing. There’s this kid sitting in the green room and he’s like, “”hey, what’s up guys,so I’m gonna interview you. And his computer’s set up. And his computer’s set up and we’re like, oh, we didn’t know we were doing an interview. He’s like, “oh yeah, I just memorized the code, and I knew you were coming. I thought I’d just interview you.” And we’re like, I mean, respect, but okay, this kid has a whole setup, but anyway.
Luke Fabry: Kilby has so much history, so it’s kind of, you kind of have a sense of what you’re walking into, but it’s just kind of cool to like walk into really any venue that’s been like there’s a venue in San Diego called the Casbah and it’s small and divy but it’s just like cool to walk in the same steps of so many other bands and history and look on the walls and what people have like engraved into the concrete over the years so like that part’s cool. I mean we’ve played so many, we’ve played Bart Mitzvahs, weddings, every party. So those are a little more like, all right, but Kilby’s cool.
UCR: It’s kind of a rite of passage. So it’s cool that you guys have played there and have memories there. I think my readers will love that.
This is kind of a weird question but do you feel a difference in your music when you’re playing at an outdoor venue compared to a club or indoor, even arena? Does that have any kind of different feel to you when you’re doing it? Even just the vibe of an audience?
Dawson Daughtry: Oh interesting. Yeah, I don’t know necessarily if I feel like a massive difference between indoor and outdoor, but I will say I think when we first started the band, that was a question people would ask a lot. It’s like, oh, how much is where you’re from influenced the music you make? And I think like early in the band, we would always be like, oh, like not that much. Sort of unconsciously not knowing that it had a huge impact. Like San Diego and surfing. That’s kind of how we even met.
I feel like now, I think where we’re from, like, we’re really proud to be from San Diego, it’s a place that, you know, there’s a lot of really special people from there. It’s a beautiful place to grow up. So yeah, I think our music has been impacted definitely by just what we like doing.
Like the song literally just says, “take me to the beach because I want to dip in”. It’s not profound at all. Like it was kind of just like, that’s what would be nice right now. It’s funny, man. It should be step one of starting a band, and people always tell it to you, like, just be yourself. And people attach to it, even if they’ve never seen the beach, if you’re just yourself it just fares well for you, because people can feel that, it’s real and authentic. So, once we figured that out and just leaned in and said like, oh, it’s just, say we want to dip into the ocean, like, just dip in.
UCR: People can feel that.
Dawson Daughtry: I would argue nowadays, more than ever, people just, it’s so easy to sniff out what feels real. You have to be on the internet so much. Some artists somehow sneak out of that, but most artists, people gotta see it and believe it.
UCR: So shifting gears a little bit, it was really cool to see you guys last night, like, come out into that arena. Is this your first experience playing, like, this size venues?
almost monday: Yeah. It’s pretty new. Yeah.
UCR: I know it’s like as a support, but you’re playing an arena tour. Like, what is that feeling like? And then what was it like the first time you walk out and it’s at this vast venue for music?
Cole Clisby: Yeah, it’s pretty surreal, honestly. Just like, I mean, because we’ve seen arena shows before, like been in the crowd, like been side stage for them, and then actually being on stage is a whole other level. Because we’ve done some pretty big shows at the Greek Theater which are like pretty big, like 5,000, 6,000, but then an arena is just another level above when you just see another rung of people. Being indoors definitely makes it feel bigger and like the sound is better. And I think, especially like when it’s all dark and stuff too.
We’re playing pretty early, but like since it’s indoor it just feels like we’re playing in a nighttime venue. It’s just crazy when there’s haze in there. You can’t even really see people back there So it’s just like it’s always like a mental thing of like wow, there’s so many just people.
Luke Fabry: It’s almost like learning a new skill and like performing because like Cole was saying you can’t really see people. But then you see people light up their phones or whatnot. So it’s kind of like you’re playing three shows you’re playing to like the pit which feels almost like a club show, and then you’re playing to the imag, which is a microscope on your face, so be mindful of that. And then you are playing to people all the way in the back. So it’s kind of like a three-tier thing of performing to each level as best as you can.
UCR: I like that. That’s a good way of putting it. So, you’re the first group on of the night, and you can tell me what you felt, but I felt like it was a pretty loud pretty warm audience.
almost monday: Yeah they were great!
UCR: I think you alluded to it that it’s your job to warm everybody up or get people ready for AJR. That’s part of the gig, and you guys did excellent at that. How much of it is, “we want to get everybody going, we want to get this to be a fun night for them”, but of course, you’re here to, in a sense, sell your wares, right? You want people to hear your music, and experience you, so you can do this and headline this one day, which I assume is at least a partial goal for any band, right?
Dawson Daughtry: Oh, hell yeah!
UCR: So is there a balance you have to strike there or is it just go out, do your thing, show what you have, and if people like it they’re gonna be warmed up for the headliner? Or is there a certain method or math to the whole situation?
Dawson Daughtry: I think just being again just genuine. The gratitude we have to be on this tour is immense. So every night it feels really natural to just be really grateful for the opportunity that was created by AJR. They’re putting us in front of great fans. And yeah, man, it’s a short set. So like from day one, we all just said, like, let’s just punch them in the face. Like, hello, boom, just 30 minutes, just nonstop go, go, go, go.
And at the end of the day, you just hope people like us. It’s been really cool. We’ve met kids and people that have come up to us afterward that are like, never heard of you, and now you’re one of my favorite bands, and that’s mental. It’s so cool. So just paying respect to the people that gave us the opportunity, and then also just coming out and just swinging. Swinging for the top rung, dude.
Cole Clisby: Sometimes as an opener, you’ve got to play like you’re meant to be headlining, and then giving that energy a little bit. It’s helpful for people, I think, to see like, oh, they’re not just going to be the opener. Hopefully, they can find their own shows one day.
UCR: And you guys have done that. From my point of view, it seems like this is moving really fast for you guys. And who knows how these careers ever go, but it seems like you’re just on a really awesome trajectory, and I hope that continues.
almost monday: Thanks, man!
UCR: OK, last two questions. What was your first concert, and what’s been the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Dawson Daughtry: I grew up in church, so I grew up going to a lot of worship concerts. But true band, I’d say probably… It’s not a Foo Fighters concert, but Cole’s friends with those guys, and he took me to a show in high school. I remember that felt pretty like, whoa, Foo Fighters. Full-on Dave Grohl’s in a chair, with a broken leg. I know I’ve been to ones before that. But that one sticks out.
UCR: That’s awesome. They’re so good live.
Dawson Daughtry: And then best concert, it’s a toss-up between Coldplay. Their show is just hard. It’s kind of like an AJR show. Obviously way different, but it’s such a spectacle. Everybody’s got the wristband. It’s hard not to feel moved by everything. 100,000 people just singing every song.
UCR: Totally agree!
Dawson Daughtry: And then Tame Impala, we saw him at the Forum in L.A. That show is just f*¢king ridiculously good. So one of those two.
Luke Fabry: First show I saw, was this hardcore band called For Today. It was at a venue in San Diego. I just remember getting slammed against the subs to try to avoid the pit. I’d just get run over as a 15-year-old kid. But that was the first time that I experienced the energy of a show. It’s the core show. People just there, caring about the music. That energy was pretty cool. It would be cool to do something like this. And then best show is Tame Impala is really good. I remember seeing Kascade, which isn’t really a band. I think he’s from Utah. It was more just what I felt as a participant and the community around it. It was so impactful. People were there for the music, and that was a really beautiful thing.
Cole Clisby: My first show was with Blink-182 with No Doubt opening. Back in the day. I think I was probably six or seven years old.
UCR: I was going to say, that was probably a little a while back.
Cole Clisby: One of my best friends growing up, his dad managed Blink-182. We just get to cruise some of the concerts whenever they’re in town.
UCR: Oh, wow. Hometown boys.
Cole Clisby: Yeah. I think that was one of my first concerts. Probably the best concert I’ve been to. I saw my favorite band, The Strokes, at The Forum not too long ago, which is amazing. Probably the only thing that could beat it would be Tame Impala. Just headlining Firefly, being almost to the barricade. Me and Dawson were up there.
Dawson Daughtry: Dude. These fans just kept buying us drinks, too.
Cole Clisby: Just drunk standing in front of Kevin Parker. Just a production sound. Just a perfect show.
Dawson Daughtry: This dude came to our show and kept going, running back. “Here’s another.” We’re like, dude. Oh, my gosh. That show’s bliss, dude.
UCR: Well, you guys are awesome! Thank you so much for the time and have a great set tonight!
almost monday: Thanks so much man. This was great. Thank you.
For information on almost monday head to almostmonday.com or @almostmonday on socials.